Java Coercion (Casting)

• For primitive types, casting can be done only when it makes sense to do so:

  • d = (double)true; //NO-incompatible types
  • i = (int)d; // OK-but info loss possible

• For class types, casting can be done only when it is "down" the class hierarchy. Suppose OtherClass is not a direct or indirect subclass of SuperClass:

  • super = (SuperClass)(new OtherClass()); // NO - incompatible types
  • sub = (Subclass)super; // OK